Excessive consumption

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Epic has developed a version of Fortnite for smartphones

Mr Reid said the game was proving very popular because it was "carefully created to deliver a truly engaging experience".

He said the gaming experience was different for each player and changed each time.

Mr Reid said there was scope for further research on what constituted video-game addiction but it had been "suggestively been defined as the excessive consumption of games that conflict with everyday living".

The researcher said it would be better to consider the reasons for wide and regular consumption of video games without calling players "addicts".

"To do otherwise would be to stigmatise the medium as an evil to our society, despite a growing portfolio of video games and research that reinforce the positive characteristics of play and interactivity," he said.

Mr Reid said Fortnite had a "cartoony, exaggerated style" unlike 18-rated games such as Call of Duty whose hyper-realistic style may have different consequences on children's perceptions.

He advised parents to try to encourage children to play in moderation.

Mr Reid added: "I'd also suggest playing Fortnite yourself to understand why children might be interested in it - so that you can speak the same language and get on the same wavelength."